Turning 50, Giving Time

In April I turn the big 50 (don't know how I feel about this!!). Instead of gifts, I'm asking for something more meaningful, your support for a cause that is really close to my heart.

I was totally blessed to have the most wonderful mum for 17 years of my life. When I was 17, I lost her to breast cancer. She never got the thing I want most for myself which is time. Time to see all her 4 children, graduate, marry, become parents. Time to know and love all of her 13 grandchildren, she would have absolutely loved being a Granny. Cancer took that from her, and from us.

That's why I'm fundraising for Action Cancer, who screen younger women for breast cancer from age 40. I had the privilege of working for Action Cancer for 11 years, and I've seen first-hand how early detection buys people the time my mum never had.

To mark this big milestone in my life, I'm taking on a number of fitness events between now and April, some running, a couple of HYROX competitions, and hopefully my first solo HYROX. It all starts with the Antrim coast half marathon on the 23rd of August, then Bangor 10k and Dublin Hyrox mixed doubles this side of Christmas. Time and health are gifts I don't take for granted, and I want to use mine to help give other women more of it.

Every pound helps screen a woman earlier, so she gets the time my mum didn't. Thank you for being part of my 50th year, and for your support for this great cause.